By Jennifer Mead

Introduction:
A tunnel book is bound on two sides using a variation of accordion binding. Scenery is cut out of the pages and then assembled in layers so that where viewed from straight on, a 3 dimensional scene emerges, like a diorama.

Materials:
For each book:

Directions:
1. On 3 out of the 4 6"X6" squares of cardstock (one colored square and both white squares), draw a smaller shape that will serve as a window frame. Now, cut the interior shape out of the colored square. Put it away for later; it will serve as the front cover.
2. The 2 white squares will be the 2 pages of our book. Every book is meant to tell a story, even if there are a few pages. Start developing your story by deciding the "who" of the book. Think about who they are, who they are with, what they do for a living, what they are wearing, how they feel, etc.... Now decide where they are: in a house, in the mountains, in a city, in the jungle, etc.... Draw a preliminary sketch with all this information on a piece of newsprint first.
3. Decide which elements of your scene you want in the foreground and draw them on one of the white 6"X6" squares, making sure that all of the shapes are anchored to the frame (as in no floating shapes). Do the same with background on the second white square.
4. Color in the details with markers or colored pencils. DonÁt worry about coloring the negative space, it will be cut out.
5. With an X-Acto knife (or scissors) cut out all the negative space in both the background and foreground squares. When the squares are laid on top of each other, you should be able to see both background and foreground.

To Put the Book Together
1. Place both 6"X12" accordion folded pieces next to each other so they stand up like the walls of a tunnel.
2. With an X-acto knife or scissors, cut 2 tabs on the 2nd and 4th accordion sections on each side.
3. Glue the uncut 6"X6" square to the last tabs of both tunnel sides to that it forms a back cover.
4. Glue the frame of the background scene to the tabs closest tot the back cover so the paper stands up and begins to take the appearance of a piece of scenery.
5. Do the same with foreground square on the tabs in front of the background page. A 3-D "tunnel" scene should emerge.
6. Now take the last 6"X6" square with the window cut out and glue it to the front two accordion sections so that the 3-D scene is enclosed between the window opening tan the solid back cover and it stands solidly.

Variations:
1. Color the inside back cover with scenery and add a middle ground to your book scene.
2. Color the walls of the tunnel for super 3D effects.
3. Decorate the front cover. Put a title on it. Collage. Play with the shapes you use in the frame.
4. Hang at an angle as a mobile.

Artspeech:
Background- The part of the composition that appears to be farthest from the viewer.
Foreground- The part of the composition that appears to be closest to the viewer.
Middle Ground- The part of the composition that appears in between the background and the foreground.
Negative Space- The empty areas in a composition, occupied only by air.

References:
La Planz, Shereen. Cover to Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals, and Albums. Lark Books: North Carolina. 1995. ppg. 108-111.

Edwards, Betty. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. Penguin Putnum Incorporated: NY 1988.

The Haper Collins Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Second Edition. Ralph Mayer, Dir., Steven Sheehan, Editor. Harper Collins: N. Y. 1991.

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